EDITIONS: | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |   [ MANRECAP ] Bulletin No.20 September 2007 – December 2007 No. 20 Article #1: Study Tour on operation and maintenance of rehabilitated infrastructures   A study tour to 'Project for Supporting Infrastructure Maintenance to Reduce Rural Poverty in Wariyapola' was held from 5 to 6 September with officers from Urban Council and Predsiya Sabah together with community based organization (CBO) representatives participating. The objective of this study tour was to show the models of utilization, operation and maintenance (O & M) of infrastructures/facilities to CBO representatives and the officials who work with MANRCAP and will be responsible for it. The participants were able to visit its project site, rural villages where infrastructures/ facilities like minor irrigation systems, community water supply systems, rural roads are managed by CBOs/ groups in collaboration with relevant government officers. There, they observed the systems of O&M of infrastructures/ facilities in detail. They understood that for a successful implementation of O&M by community, it is important that the community feels sense of pride and ownership toward the facilities. In addition, they saw coordination/understanding between Government officials and community is essential. Consequent to this study tour, in the latter part of September a review meeting incorporating the Government officials and CBO representatives who participated in the study tour to Wariyapola was held. At this meeting, it was decided to adopt systems as implemented at Wariyapola after discussion with both concerned parties.   Article #2: Terminal Evaluation   Joint Terminal Evaluation Team consisting of members from JICA and the Government of Sri Lanka nominated by the Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development visited the Project sites and analyzed the activities and achievement of the Project from 6th to 23rd of October 2007. The conclusion of the Team was that the purpose of the Project was mostly achieved and the communities in the focal villages have been empowered through the application of Community Action Plan (CAP), Community Managed Rehabilitation (Community Contracts) adopted as a main concept in the Project activities.             Article #3: Laying of network of Pipe lines for Community Water Supply systems (CWS) at Santhipuram was completed   The Project has fulfilled the highly prioritized need of Santhipuram which was the supply of drinking water via pipe lines which was unattended for the past two decades. Though this was the responsibility of National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS & DB), due to unavailability of funds and failure of tender process in which no contractors bid for the work due to the declining security condition in the District, they were unable to implement it. After a series of discussions with parties concerned, MANRECAP decided to support establishment of community water supply systems in Santhipuram via Community Managed Rehabilitation (Community Contract) method in collaboration with NWS & DB. This was the first instance NWS & DB awards Community Contract to community based organizations(CBOs). This decision was made by NWS & DB based on the strength of CBOs in Santhipuram (RDS and WRDS) which has been achieved through Community Contracts via MANRECAP. This work was completed within a short period of time with NWS & DB expressing praise for the quality of work done. This prompted NWS & DB to award the same CBOs a Community Contact for laying supply lines form Pumping Station to Overhead Tank at NWS & DB premises which was 4.1 KM through shrub areas and town. This too was completed very successfully. People who participated in the work of Community Water Supply systems       Article #4: Community Action Plan (CAP) Review Workshops   A CAP review workshop was held at Vaddupiththanmadhu on 8th November 2007 for Samayapuram, Vaddupiththanmadhu and Theththavadi Maruthankulam, though the security situation was not so favorable to conduct such workshop. In the workshop, all participants expressed that they were satisfied with rehabilitation and construction carried out under the Project and their strong will and expectations to improve their living conditions. Consequently they reviewed their Community Action Plans through discussions among participants. On 26th November 2007 one workshop was held for Puthukkamam and on 13th December 2007 at Santhipuram. The outcome of these workshops were very encouraging From the group work and presentation by the participants, they have grasped the values of Community contract, participation, Savings for self employment and for seed money for cultivation /small enterprises and the importance of utilization and maintenance of constructed facilities. Overall they are now in a position to organize CAP workshops by themselves and participate in them in a planned and constructive manner in order to implement development works in the village. CAP review workshop in Puthukkamam CAP review workshop in Santhipuram   Article #5: Handing over the rehabilitated infrastructure and facilities at Puthukkamam GN Division   On 29th November 2007 rehabilitated infrastructures/ facilities at Puthukkamam, Samayapuram, Vaddupiththanmadhu and Theththavadi Maruthankulam were officially handed over to the Secretary of Predesiya Sabha (PS), Mannar who in turn handed over to the respective Community Centres for utilization, operation and maintenance in collaboration with PS. Those include a preschool, community water supply systems, village internal roads, a multi purpose hall and a community hall.       MANRECAP BULLETIN Editor and publisher: MANRECAP All correspondence should be addresses to: T. Saisho, MANRECAP / JICA, District Secretariat, Mannar, Sri Lanka Phone: 023 – 2250029, Fax: 023-2250067, Internet address: http://www.manrecap.com  Comments and Suggestions: info@manrecap.com  PREVIOUS MONTHLY BULLETINS | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |